Common Diseases: Etiology, Symptoms, and Management
Urinary Tract Infections
Etiopathogenesis: It depends on several factors, including host factors, bacterial virulence factors, and anatomical and physiological factors. Host factors— Factors that impair the immune response, such as immunosuppressive medications, HIV infection, or diabetes, can increase the risk of UTI. In addition, female anatomy (shorter urethra and closer proximity of urethral opening to the anus) makes women more prone to UTIs.
Clinical manifestations:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate.
- A burning sensation when urinating.
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine.
Pharmacological managements: Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, Fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, Cephalexin, Ceftriaxone, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, amoxycillin etc.
Non-pharmacological managements: Regular hygiene and cleaning are the most important measure to prevent the UTIs.
Hepatitis
Etiopathogenesis:
- Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A virus is a non-enveloped RNA virus that is primarily transmitted through the faecal-oral route, usually by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Once inside the body, HAV replicates in the liver and causes inflammation, which can lead to liver damage.
- Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B virus is a partially double-stranded DNA virus that is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. HBV enters liver cells and uses its own reverse transcriptase enzyme to create a DNA copy of its genome. This DNA can then integrate into the host cell’s DNA, leading to chronic infection.
Clinical manifestations:
- Jaundice.
- Weight loss.
- Lethargy.
- Hyporexia.
Pharmacological managements:
- For hepatitis B: Interferon alpha, lamivudine, telbivudine, adenofovir, tenofovir, emtricitabine.
- For hepatitis C: Ribavirin, boceprevir, imeprevir, sofosbuvir.
Non-pharmacological managements: Prevention of hepatitis involves good hygiene practices, such as handwashing and safe food preparation, vaccination (for hepatitis A and B), and avoiding high-risk behaviours such as unprotected sex and sharing needles.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders comprise diverse conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues. These disorders may result in pain and loss of function. It is happening due to the lack of knowledge and irregular/improper diet plan.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Etiopathogenesis:
- Immunological factors: As in other autoimmune diseases, genetic predisposition and environmental factors contribute to the development, progression, and chronicity of the disease.
Clinical manifestations:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma.
- Stiffness and pain in the joints.
- Swelling of joint.
Pharmacological management:
Adjuvant drugs: Diacerein, auranofin, hyaluronate sodium, gold sodium thiomalate, aurothioglucose, prednisolone.
DMARDs (Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs):
- Biological agents:
TNF-α Inhibitor: Etanercept, infliximab, tasonermin, afelimomab, abatacept.
Non-Pharmacological management:
- Make the diet charts and follow accordingly and avoid the fattier and lipids contents in the diet.
- Change the lifestyle and apply the home remedies means replace the allopathic medicine with ayurvedic medicine (because of less side effects)
Osteoarthritis
Etiopathogenesis:
- Chondrocyte injury, related to genetic and biochemical factors.
- Early osteoarthritis, in which chondrocytes proliferate and secrete inflammatory mediators, collagens, proteoglycans, and proteases, which act together to remodel the cartilaginous matrix and initiate secondary inflammatory changes in the synovium and subchondral bone.
Clinical manifestations:
- Radicular pain
- Muscle spasms, muscle atrophy/weakness.
- Joint tenderness and stiffness.
Pharmacological management:
NSAIDs: Ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, sulindac, fenoprofen, piroxicam, diclofenac, tramadol.
Corticosteroids: Prednisone, prednisolone.
Non-Pharmacological management:
- Regular practice of yoga exercise and other physical exercise
- During more pain condition rest is required and follow the heat and cold for managing pain (Both heat and cold can relieve pain in joint.
Dysmenorrhea
The term is defined as menstruation with pain. Dysmenorrhea is pain, typically cramping in character and lower abdominal in location, occurring in the days just before and during menstrual flow.
Etiopathogenesis: Primary dysmenorrhea is thought to be due to disordered prostaglandin production by the secretory endometrium. Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) stimulates myometrial contractions of the nonpregnant uterus, whereas prostaglandins of the E series tend to inhibit its contraction. It appears that patients with severe dysmenorrhea generally experience excessive PGF2α production rather than increased sensitivity to this prostaglandin. Unabated contractions of the myometrium result in uterine muscle ischemia, which stimulates the uterine pain fibres of the autonomic nervous system.
Clinical manifestations:
- Sweating.
- Weakness, Fatigue.
- Insomnia.
- Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea.
Pharmacological managements: For reducing the pain and any infection drugs used as-
- NSAIDs. Ex- Ibuprofen, mefenamic acid, naproxen, celecoxib, nimesulide.
- Oral contraceptive. Ex- Norethindrone, levonorgestrel.
Non-pharmacological managements:
- Any symptoms appear then consult with the gynaecologist, and change their life style (sleep and wake up pattern) as per the instruction.
- Diet pattern is very essential because it maintain the BMR and maintain the body weight.
HIV
Etiopathogenesis: Infection spread in several stages.
- First pathogen enters in body through any route mention above then. The virus enters into macrophages where RNA genome of the virus replicates to form viral DNA with the help of the enzyme reverse transcriptase.
- This viral DNA gets incorporated into host cell’s DNA and directs the infected cells to produce virus particles.
Clinical manifestations:
- Joint pain and fatigue.
- Swollen, lymph nodes mainly on the neck.
- Mouth ulcers and sore throat.
Pharmacological managements: Abacavir, Emtricitabine, Lamivudine, Stavudine, Tenofovir, Zidovudine
Non-pharmacological managements:
- AIDS has no cure; prevention is the best option.
- Follow the all precaution (wearing the mask, sterilize the hand etc.) prior to any activities.
Viral Infections (SARS-CoV)
Etiopathogenesis: The SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is primarily transmitted through close person-to-person contact, such as respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
Clinical manifestations:
- Fever, weariness, headache, stroke.
- Dyspnoea, rhinorrhoea, anosmia, ageusia.
- Dry cough, sputum production, sore throats.
Pharmacological managements: Remdesivir, Favipiravir, Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Nafamostat mesylate.
Non-pharmacological managements: Public health measures such as vaccination, social distancing, and wearing masks, which remain the most effective means of preventing the spread of viral disease.
Viral Infections (SARS-CoV2)
Etiopathogenesis: SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted through close person-to-person contact, such as respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
Clinical manifestations:
- Fever, weariness, headache, stroke.
- Dyspnoea, rhinorrhoea, anosmia, ageusia.
- Dry cough, sputum production, sore throats.
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Pharmacological managements: Remdesivir, Favipiravir, Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Nafamostat mesylate.